Author: Candy

Lifestyle Change

I went to mass last Wednesday and I was seated beside a tita who served in CFC-Youth. Since we were both taking the same train we just walked together after mass. I realized then that it’s not yet 6:30pm meaning I have to get and Add-on to my train ticket which is $1.25. I told the tita if we can wait for another 20mins before going home and just stay in the mall and it was okay with her. I was just expecting that we would sit in one of those couches in the mall and talk for 20mins.

Surprisingly she suggested that we go to H&M so 20mins won’t be so long. So we went to the shop and just strolled around trying to see if there is anything on sale. Not for long we were looking at some clothes and I noticed that we both do the same thing. After looking at the design, checked on the price tag right after. Then she asked me how I manage things with what I want to have and what I buy.

I told tita that I really had to change my lifestyle. I remember when I first joined missionary work, it was a conscious effort for me to do that. The change of lifestyle includes primarily the frequency of shopping, watching movies, acquiring gadgets and going to places for leisure. Eventually the change of lifestyle goes beyond  being financially conscious to simplicity of lifestyle and good stewardship.

There is no sense of deprivation, everything becomes a blessing. The Lord takes a greater part of what and how life is lived. Everything is of the Lord because the Lord is everything.

 

“Thank you God for all the things that you have provided us with. You are generous and caring, you never stop seeking for us. Most blessed Father, may we know how to seek you first above all things and place everything that we have – jobs, material wealth, relationships under it and may your Holy Spirit help us always.”

 

Never too Late

I was sitting next to a dad with 2 kids one was a girl aged around 5 and the other was a little boy aged between 1-2 years old. The dad ordered a cup of coffee and 2 cookies.  The older sister took one cookie and started eating while the dad handed the other cookie to the toddler. After a few minutes the older sister said, “We forgot to pray!” The dad replied, “It’s okay, let’s just continue to eat.” The daughter replied again, “It’s not too late to pray.” The dad just said, “OK” Then she continued on with eyes closed, “Dear God thank you for dad and mom and dad’s coffee and our cookies, amen!”

I did not mean to listen to how the conversation went but the girl was just loud and I was just seated a foot away from them, literally next table to me.

Yes she was right – It’s not too late to pray!

There are instances in my life that I choose to take things in my own hands especially the everyday small matters. I was walking to my bus stop when I realized that I didn’t have enough time to get there. Still I continued on walking, I uttered a prayer to God asking if He can delay the arrival of the bus so I can get on it. I was surprised that I got there in time for the bus. I waited for a minute then the bus came.

How much more in bigger, serious matters? Prayer is never too late to pray.

“Lord you are God of time. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow is in your hands. Teach to choose to prayer as my first option and if I forget to pray or offer my everyday  matters remind me still the prayer will always be the best option at any point in time.”

birthday bASH – March 5, 2014

I had a conversation with Miguel and Charlene on our way to Metrotown. I can’t remember how the conversation started but I end up saying I don’t know how our bodies will look like when it is reunited with us in heaven. Miguel shared to us that it will be a glorified body as how Jesus Christ foreshadowed it during the Transfiguration. That conversation happened last March 5, 2014, Wednesday, not just an ordinary Wednesday but Ash Wednesday.

I have been looking forward to this day and feel so much excitement approaching to it. Not just because we are reminded again of the great love of Jesus in the coming easter but March 5 is also my second birthday. My accident happened in March 5, 2005. I was unconscious for 18 hours then I was airlifted to the hospital, had an 8-hour reconstructive surgery and another surgery 2 years after. This brought me to a reflection that Him giving my life again is Him giving me a foretaste how it is to be given life, reconstructed with a deeper faith – a glimpse of that glorified body.

It was extra meaningful because everything was about Him loving me so much. It was a double celebration. I felt that day was a day for me. The feeling was like He had given me a special favor, it’s as if I am the only one that He loves me the most. He loves me in ways that (I did not know) I want to be loved… and this is non-stop. 🙂

“Lord you are the source of life,  You gave me life,  You are life! Teach me to live my life for you too.”

 

Candy

Philippians 1:29

A Chance Encounter

(I wrote this reflection yesterday but I did not upload/publish it because I thought it was not long enough and it’s all questions. However when I read the gospel for today it was the same story that I based my reflection so here it is…)

I went to “One” Conference, an Archdiocesan event here in Vancouver last week. There were three amazing speakers who shared to us and challenged us with a lot of thought-provoking statements about happiness, renewal/transformation, and desire. After how many days have passed, there’s this one point that’s been recurring since then. The question was: How/What does it feel to be in my presence? Every night I ask myself what do other people feel when they are with me? Do they feel excited? Do they feel blessed? Do they want to stay with me? Am I a good companion? Am I a trusted friend? Am I real to them? Do I stress them out? Am I insistent? Are they weirded out with me? Too pushy? Do they feel loved? Am I like my mother? Or my sisters maybe? Do they see Jesus in me?

Just like the gospel last Thursday and today. Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” I want to ask the same question to people who are strangers to me, to those who are my acquaintance, those who I’ve been serving/working with, to those who I always talk to, and to my family. Who do they say I am? Do they see Jesus in the way I think and make decisions? Do they experience Jesus in my actions? Do they feel Jesus in my words? Do they encounter Jesus in my mere presence?

I may not find the answers right away or the answers may vary everyday no not everyday but every minute or second but I pray that they experience Jesus in me.

“Lord you have surrounded us with people everyday and everyday also we meet or come across strangers and familiar people. I pray that in those times that they we encounter each other, may I naturally bring you out but in most times be brave enough to deliberately present you to people. Use me Lord.”

Today is for Everyone

Every Valentine’s Day, I always have this misconception that it is just for couples – married, engaged, any couple who are in a relationship. Because I am not seeing anyone, for a moment I thought this day is insignificant for me. Then in my prayer time I was brought to a reflection that Valentine’s Day is not just about people who can give love to each other, it is also about giving love even when it is not reciprocated. It is not just about how much love we can receive but how much love we can also give. It is not just about going to the people we love but also going back to the source of love.

A lot of things already happened today, may I end my day with love to the who is love.

 

“Lord you are Love. You are great and powerful. You are immeasurable yet you desire to reside at the very core of my being. May unlock and open heart for you.”

Bloated Needs

I rearranged my room last week. I was told that the 5-drawer cabinet will be taken to have more space in the room. At the back of my mind it’s a lot of stuff to do, to take out all the clothes or whatever was inside and put it somewhere in the closet – this means I have to rearrange my clothes in the closet, sort out again if there are stuff that I haven’t worn r used for a year (that’s my ultimate deciding factor if I can’t make up my mind if I give it away).

I noticed that I actually have a lot of clothes already – it accumulated! Most of it are gifts or hand-me-downs from CFCs. I have a pile of community shirts and some hoodies. I end up giving away 2 garbage bag-full of clothes and another bag for shoes and winter outfits. Now I can fit everything and just having what I need there…

Just having what I need there…

It is not “just” but it is really having what I need. As time passes by my personal idea of my ‘needs’ bloat that even those ‘wants’ it became a part of the need. I am reminded again of what Pope Francis said, “Certainly, possessions, money, and power can give a momentary thrill, the illusion of being happy, but they end up possessing us and making us always want to have more, never satisfied. ‘Put on Christ’ in your life, place your trust in him, and you will never be disappointed! It is the detachment of those who choose to live a sober and essential lifestyle, of those who, by sharing their own wealth, thus manage to experience fraternal communion with others. This is fundamental for following Jesus Christ and being truly Christian.” In other words choose a more humble purchase, a sober and essential lifestyle.

“Lord teach me and remind me always to choose a humble lifestyle, a sober lifestyle”

Hot or Cold

In my recent skype with my parents, I learned that the temperature in Philippines particularly in Mindanao reached 20°C. This is an unusual cold there, since Philippines is a tropical country. They were wearing jackets the whole time in the house and they haven’t used the air conditioning system for almost a month already. Everyone in the house used the bathroom downstairs coz that’s the only one with the hot water setting.

They asked me what the temperature here is in Vancouver, I told them it has been good. We haven’t had gone negative digit for 2 weeks already and that the average temperature us 5°C. I told them that the temperature they have is most probably for summer season here.

I wanted to tell them that people here would be wearing shorts with that temperature. They would be outside enjoying the warmth and going camping. This is not the case in Philippines, they just stay in the house. They do not want to do any outdoor activity. These things are subjective to what we feel – same temperature 20°C cold for Philippines but warm for Canada.

What about the ways and teachings of the Lord. Even if everyone is doing it if it is wrong, it will always be wrong. Even if no one is doing it if it is right it will always be right at all times in all circumstances.

 

“Lord you are Truth. You are source of wisdom and knowledge. Teach me to live out your teaching at all times whether with other people or by myself. When there are times that I am doubtful and shaken, may I look to you for stability. You are true at all times!

 

Candy

Philippians 1:29